Maranatha Baptist Church

We drove down from Ohio to see President Carter teach a couple months ago, and it was truly a remarkable experience. Read other reviews (and the church’s website!) for how-​to instructions. Follow them, and follow Mrs. Jan’s directions, and you’ll be fine. Some tips:
— Check the website for dates when President Carter will be teaching, as he’s not there every week
— Get there early, if you want a seat in the sanctuary. We arrived around 6am and were still about 100 people back in the line.
— Bring in only what you’ll need; you’ll be searched and space is tight inside the sanctuary. But do bring everything you’ll need, because you’re not permitted to come back in if you leave.
This was certainly one of the most unique, special experiences of my life, and I’m so glad we went! The service was lovely, the guest band was lovely, the regular parishioners and staff were lovely, and Mr. and Mrs. Carter were lovely. Worth every second of the drive and waiting.

All of the other post give you the «things you need to know»…follow them and your visit will be smooth.
This has been a bucket list item for me since I was a teenager. Even with my young son getting sick right before Pres. Carter was to speak, I would still say we had an unbelievable experience. The church is cute and quaint, the the parishioners are amazing! I really can’t believe there are still such kind hospitable people in the world. Without going into details, I needed help with my young child and they showed such kindness and compassion that it left me emotionally moved.
I would highly recommend a visits to Plains, GA. Experience a true, small, southern town that just happened to produce a great President and humanitarian.

I do what I can to give my children experiences they will remember and ones that will change their way of thinking. So needless to say I couldn’t resist an opportunity to bring them to see Jimmy Carter (our 39^th President) whom teaches Sunday school here @ Maranatha.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
* President Carter does not teach every Sunday, so check the church website for his schedule.
* ARRIVE EARLY!!! Service doesn’t start until 10 a.m. We arrived @ 7 a.m. & about 25 other people had already formed a line. By 8 a.m. the line was bananas. Seating is limited and once full inside you WILL be turned away.
* Secret Service will be there to search you, so bring as little inside as possible.
* Doors open around 8:45 a.m. and you will be guided to your seat. The church reserves certain sections for congregation members.
* Mrs. Jan (the church administrator) will spend about 1 hour explaining everything you need to know concerning what is expected of guests. As you can imagine, security for the president is a priority, and because of his age and time constraints they want you to be absolutely clear on what is and is not tolerated. This won’t be like regular service.
* Picture taking is limited and you will only have ONE photo opportunity WITH the president after service. You also only have about 5 minutes available after the president comes out to take pictures of him as he greets the crowd.
* You will not be allowed to hold a conversation with Mr. Carter, get a hug, an autograph or hand him anything directly.
THE EXPERIENCE
While standing in line we got to meet a variety of people from all around the country who came to hear Mr. Carter teach. Mrs. Jan will come out and explain their procedures prior to anyone entering the building. Sort of weird to have to empty your pockets and get pat down at the door, but totally understandable. I found it absolutely hilarious to watch my sweet little wife and kids get frisked, so much so I started snapping pics. NOTE: Secret service guys don’t like having their pictures taken… oops :-)
THE CHURCH SERVICE
Service is divided into two part (three if you count the wait time prior to opening). Sunday School is between 10 — 11 a.m. and taught by President Carter. There is a small intermission and the following hour is morning worship. I must say I’m not used to Baptist Church services. You sing a song, someone says a prayer you sit down, a scripture is read, you stand again, cycle and repeat. I’ve never experienced this style of service before. It felt sort of robotic and totally opposite of my church, which feels more like a concert when it comes to praise and worship.
One highlight of service (other than Mr. Carter’s teaching) were the guest choirs. The first were a group of tweens from Flat Rock, TN. During their final song ‘Amazing Grace’, the young lady singing solo was so moved she burst into tear as she sang. The crowd had to help her along by singing it for her, which made her cry even more. Also, the second choir were high school aged students with absolutely incredible voices. I felt like I was watching the best episode ever of Glee.
THE VERDICT
Any way you look at it this is history in the making. President Carter was charismatic and charming, often using his world travels and meetings with foreign leaders as part of his lesson. As far as I know, there is no other living US president past or present that teaches Sunday school. President Carter will turn 89 years old on October 1^st, and my kids got the chance to make him a birthday card during service and present him with it as we took pics after service. Priceless.

Are you a history buff? A fan of unique Georgia experiences? Seeker of Christ? Lover of small towns? President Jimmy Carter fan? Peanut aficionado?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you should find a weekend to make it to Plains, Georgia when President Jimmy Carter is teaching Sunday School at his home church, Maranatha Baptist. I’m not a Baptist (or a Democrat), but the experience of hearing a United States President teach a lesson on servant leadership from the book of Hebrews was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had in my life. If you are not touched by just the «American-​ness» of listening to a peanut farmer who became the leader of the free world extol the lessons of his long life and deep faith, well, then I don’t know what can move you.
Check the church’s website for the weekends that «Mister Jimmy» teaches, and make sure to get there early. Though Sunday School doesn’t start till 10am, the line starts forming around 8am, and they do run out of space on occasion. Thankfully, the gas station next store sells a pretty decent sausage biscuit and their coffee isn’t half bad, and Ms. Jo, the Sunday School wrangler, local innkeeper, and former local school teacher tells some pretty great stories to the assembled crowd, and gives very clear instructions about what to do and not do during the lesson and the worship service. Be prepared to have your bags inspected by Secret Service agents and your cars sniffed by bomb dogs. Though the church website says you can come in whatever attire you have, I would recommend your «Sunday best,» which means no jeans and covered shoulders.
I’m glad I was able to check this one off of my Georgia bucket list this summer, but this is an experience I hope to repeat sooner rather than later.